Modern kitchen dictates its own rules of ergonomics, and it often happens that a refrigerator purchased several years ago no longer fits into the updated interior or simply gets in the way when opening. The situation when door rests against a wall or furniture is familiar to many owners of household appliances. Fortunately, most manufacturers initially provide the possibility of reversing the door, which allows you to change the opening side without calling a specialist.
The process of changing the hinge may seem complicated only at first glance, but with a basic set of tools and attention to detail this operation can be done independently in 30–60 minutes. It is important to understandthat the design of refrigerators of different brands, be it Liebherr, Bosch or Atlanthas its own nuances, but the general principle of dismantling and installation remains similar. Before starting work, you must make sure that the warranty period has not yet expired, since independent intervention can sometimes affect the terms of service.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the necessary tools and typical mistakes that beginners make. Safety and the preservation of the appearance of the unit are the main priorities, so ignore the preparatory stage absolutely not worth it. If you are ready to work, let's start studying the technical part of the issue.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before you start disassembling refrigerator, you should prepare the workplace and all the necessary tools. The absence of the necessary screwdriver or wrench in the midst of the process may lead to the need to leave the equipment disassembled, which is undesirable for the compressor and cooling system. The basis of the set will be Phillips and hex screwdrivers, as well as open-end or socket wrenches, the size of which depends on the model of your unit.
Particular attention should be paid to the availability of help, since the doors of modern models, especially with the system No Frost and glass shelves, can be quite heavy. Dropping facade on the floor means getting chips, dents, or, worse, damaging the sealing rubber. You will also need masking tape to secure the moving parts and a soft rag to cover the floor in front of the refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Working with live electrical appliances is prohibited by safety regulations.
For ease of work, it is recommended to remove all removable elements from the door in advance: shelves, containers, magnetic holders. This will not only make the construction easier, but will also protect the fragile plastic from accidental impacts during the process dismantling. If your model has a display or control panel on the door, make sure you know how to disconnect the cable, or prepare a connection diagram.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Analysis of the design and search for fasteners
Each manufacturer hides fasteners differently, and the search bolts may take some time. In most cases, the upper and lower hinges are closed with decorative plugs, which must be carefully pryed off with a knife or thin screwdriver. In some models, for example, Indesit or Ariston, the top hinge can be hidden under a plastic casing, which is secured with latches.
It is important to carefully examine the opposite side of the door, where you plan to move the hinges. There should be appropriate holess, closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be removed and moved to the free space in order to maintain the aesthetics of the appearance. In some budget models, the holes may not be drilled, which makes rehanging impossible without self-drilling, which is not recommended.
Models with a system Multi-Air Flow or channel for supplying cold air through the door require special attention. In such cases, additional air ducts pass inside the door leaf, and the design of the hinges may be more complex. Fasteners here it is often combined with channel sealing, so a violation of the assembly sequence can lead to loss of tightness.
If you find that some screws are stuck or rusted, do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads. It is better to treat them with a penetrating lubricant, such WD-40, and wait 10-15 minutes. Accuracy at this stage will save you time and nerves in the future.
Dismantling the upper and lower hinges
The process of removing the door begins with dismantling top hinge, since it is this that holds the bulk of the structure in a vertical position. After unscrewing the top fastening bolts, the door must be held, since it is no longer fixed at the top. At this point, the help of a second person becomes critical to prevent the heavy element from falling.
After removing the door from the lower axis, you can begin dismantling bottom hinge and the bushings. Often the bottom hinge has adjustment screws that allow you to align the height of the door relative to the body. Remember or write down their current position so that when installing on a new side, you can immediately set the approximate gap. It is better to lay out all removed parts, including washers and bushings, in order on a clean cloth.
| Hinge type | Location | Function | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | On top of the door | Fixation and rotation | Often hidden by decor |
| Bottom | At the bottom of the door | Support axis | Has height adjustment |
| Intermediate | Between chambers | Separation chambers | Only available in two-chamber refrigerators |
In two-chamber refrigerators, it will also be necessary to remove intermediate the bar or partition between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. This element is often attached to the same side bolts as the hinges, so the sequence of actions must be strict. Do not forget to remove the stoppers or limiters, if they are provided for by the design of your model.
Rehanging the handle and fittings
After the door is removed and the hinges are dismantled, the transfer stage begins handles. Depending on the model, the handle can be attached to self-tapping screws on the inside or glued with strong double-sided tape. If the handle is glued, you need to carefully warm it with a hairdryer and remove it, then clean the surface of any remaining glue before installing it in a new place.
In the space vacated by the handle there will be holes that need to be closed. To do this, use the complete plugs that come with the refrigerator, or the same plugs that you took out from the opposite side. Aesthetics in this matter plays an important role, so try to choose the plugs exactly in the color of the door surface.
⚠️ Attention: When moving handles on soft plastic or painted metal are easy to leave fingerprints or scratches on. Wear clean cotton gloves.
If a panel is installed on the door controls or display, they may also need to be moved or reconnected. In some models, the wires are long enough and allow you to simply move the panel to the other side; in others, a complete re-soldering or replacement of the cable is required. Carefully study the diagram in the instructions for your specific model Samsung, LG or another brand.
Installing the door on the new side
Installing the door on the new side is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First it is installed lower hinge in a new place, then the door is put on its axis. It is important to ensure that the door sits smoothly and without distortion, otherwise the closing mechanism will not work correctly. After this, the upper hinge is installed and fixed with bolts, but not yet tightened until it stops.
At this stage it is necessary to check geometry the settings. The door should open and close freely, without friction against the body, and the magnetic seal should fit around the entire perimeter. If you notice a misalignment, use the adjusting screws on the lower hinge or place washers (if the design allows) for alignment.
Only after a successful check can you finally tighten everything bolts. Be sure to use all lock washers and lock washers if they were included in the original design. This will prevent spontaneous unscrewing of the fasteners due to vibration of the compressor during operation.
What to do if the door does not close tightly?
If after installation the door does not fit tightly, check whether the seal is twisted. It is also possible that the refrigerator is not level - try tightening the front support legs by lifting the front part of the unit.
Adjusting and checking tightness
The final stage of work is checking tightness the fit of the door. There is a simple and effective way to check: clamp a piece of paper between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter and try to pull it out. If the paper comes out too easily or, conversely, breaks, then additional adjustment of the loop is required.
Pay attention to the operation closersif your model has them. After rehanging, it may take time for the mechanism to get used to it, but there should be no obvious jamming. Also check whether the door touches adjacent furniture or walls when fully opened, taking into account the new radius.
After completing all the work, plug in the refrigerator and let it run for several hours. Check to see if condensation has appeared in the door joint area, which could indicate a violation thermal insulation due to a loose fit. If everything is in order, you can load the products.
Is it possible to rehang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
In most cases, manufacturers do not cancel the warranty for re-hanging the door if this is provided for by the design and no physical damage is caused. However, if you strip threads or break glass in the process, the warranty will be void. It is recommended to save all removed parts.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the new side do not match?
If the holes do not match or there are none at all, then your refrigerator model does not support symmetrical overhang. Drilling new holes yourself is extremely risky, as you can damage the internal circuit or thermal insulation. In this case, it is better to leave the door as is or contact service.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Complete defrosting is not necessary, but it is better to remove the food to lighten the weight of the door. If there is a lot of ice in the freezer, the door may become heavier and more difficult to hold when dismantling, so a light defrosting will be beneficial.
Why does the door slam after rehanging?
The slam may occur due to the seal fitting too tightly or incorrectly adjusting the opening angle. Try loosening the top hinge a little or lubricating the rubbing parts of the hinges with silicone grease.